Vinyl pressings
by Bobby McFerrin · 1988
Don't Worry, Be Happy was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 12 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
2028916-A1Runout side A, variant 1
2028916-B1Runout side B, variant 1
2028916-A1 2Runout side A, variant 2
2028916-B1 1Runout side B, variant 2
202 911 7-A 2028907-A1Runout side A
2029117-B1Runout side B
006-2029117 ALabel side A
006-2029117 BLabel side B
oo6-2o29II7-ARunout A, etched
oo6-2o29II7-BRunout B, etched
006 2029117 ALabel A
006 2029117 BLabel B
12 MT 56 A-1-1-1 DSide 1, runout, stamped
12 MT 56 B-1-1-1 DSide 2, runout, stamped
12 MT 56 A-1-1-Side 1, runout, stamped
12 MT 56 B-1-1-Side 2, runout, stamped
MT 56 A-1-1-Q4 DSide A runout, stamped
MT 56 B-1-1-Q2 DSide B runout, stamped
MT 56ASide A label
MT 56BSide B label
MT 56 A-1-1-3 DSide A runout, stamped
MT 56 B-1-1-3 DSide B runout, stamped
MT 56ASide A label
MT 56BSide B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | EMI-Manhattan Records MH.2131First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australasia | EMI-Manhattan Records MH 2131First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | EMI-Manhattan Records B-50146First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI-Manhattan Records 060-20 2891 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI-Manhattan Records 006 20 2911 7 / EMI-Manhattan Records 006-2029117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI-Manhattan Records 006 2029117 / EMI-Manhattan Records 006 20 2911 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | France | EMI-Manhattan Records 2029117First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | France | EMI-Manhattan Records 2029117First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | EMI-Manhattan Records 003 20 2890 7 / EMI Electrola 003 20 2890 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | EMI-Manhattan Records 003 20 2890 7 / EMI USA 003 20 2890 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI-Manhattan Records 14 2029286 / EMI-Manhattan Records 14 2028916First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI-Manhattan Records 14 2029286First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI-Manhattan Records 06 2029117First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Portugal | EMI-Manhattan Records 2029117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | South Africa | EMI-Manhattan Records JCL 2029117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | EMI-Manhattan Records7" | 7" |
28 vinyl pressings of Don't Worry, Be Happy are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, US, Australasia and more. One of them is EMI-Manhattan Records 060-20 2891 6.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 060-20 2891 6, 006 20 2911 7, 006 2029117, 12MT 56) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2028916-A1 and 2028916-B1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
